Teaching and Educational Services Credential Programs

Graduate College of Education

Interim Dean, Nancy Robinson

Teaching and Educational Services credentials are governed by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) under authority granted to it by the California State Legislature. Institutions of higher education are granted the right to recommend candidates for licensing by the CTC after this agency has approved all programs related to teacher education and educational services credentials (Administrative Services, Clinical or Rehabilitative Services, Pupil Personnel Services, and Speech–Language Pathology Services). All programs at SF State that lead to public school teaching and school services credentials have received CTC approval.

The professional teacher preparation programs leading to a teaching credential or services credential, along with the formal authorization to recommend the awarding of credentials, are the responsibility of the Graduate College of Education. Some required course work for credentials is offered in various colleges and departments across the University. Academic departments offering majors in approved subject matter programs are responsible for certifying the subject matter competency of candidates. If a candidate has obtained a subject matter competency waiver from another institution of higher education, the student must provide verification in their admissions application.

Credential and Graduate Services Center

The Credential and Graduate Services Center (CGSC) in the Graduate College of Education provides a one–stop shop for all inquiries about credential program application requirements and procedures and information about applying for or renewing teaching and services credentials. The CGSC also assists candidates in the Graduate College of Education in submitting documents for the award of master’s degrees and applying for scholarships. The Credential and Graduate Services Center is located in Burk Hall 244.
Phone: (415) 405–3594
Email: credinfo@sfsu.edu
Website: http://gcoe.sfsu.edu.

The pathways one might pursue in order to become a public school teacher or university professor follow:

Preschool

Elementary School

Credential Requirements

Requirement

Satisfied by

Undergraduate Preparation

Complete a bachelor’s degree in any subject, except professional education. The Liberal Studies major or Child and Adolescent Development major provides preparation for the Multiple Subjects CSET. These majors also provide 45 hours of early field experience in a public school and fulfill the second language requirement.

Teacher Leadership, Professional Development, Program & Curriculum Development

Credential Requirements

Requirement

Satisfied by

Undergraduate Preparation

Complete undergraduate preparation in the content area in which you wish to work.

Admissions Tests

Consult individual department or program.

Post–B.A. Preparation

Complete an MA in Education in a variety of available concentrations.

School District Leadership

Credential Requirements

Requirement

Satisfied by

Undergraduate Preparation

Complete undergraduate preparation for elementary or secondary education and fulfill early field experience requirement. Complete three years of teaching, hold a teaching credential, and hold an administrative services credential.

Admissions Tests

Consult Educational Leadership Doctoral Program requirements.

Post–B.A. Preparation

Complete the SF State Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

College–Level TESOL

Credential Requirements

Requirement

Satisfied by

Undergraduate Preparation

Complete an English major with a concentration in Language Studies OR prerequisite courses.

Admissions Tests

Consult SF State English Department.

Post-B.A. Preparation

Complete a Master of Arts in English with a Concentration in TESOL.

Community College

Credential Requirements

Requirement

Satisfied by

Undergraduate Preparation

Major in the subject you want to teach.

Admissions Tests

Consult Department.

Post-B.A. Preparation

Complete a Master's degree.

University

Credential Requirements

Requirement

Satisfied by

Undergraduate Preparation

Major in the subject you want to teach.

Admissions Tests

Consult Department.

Post-B.A. Preparation

Complete a doctorate degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.).

Glossary of Important Terms

Administrative Services Credential: The California basic credential that allows you to work as the principal of an elementary, middle, or high school.

Basic Skills Exam: A test of basic math, reading, and writing skills that all credential candidates must pass. Can be taken as soon as you have completed basic college requirements in English and math. The California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) is one of several ways to meet the Basic Skills Requirement.

Bilingual Authorization: SF State offers a bilingual emphasis (Cantonese, Mandarin, and Spanish) that allows elementary school candidates to teach in bilingual programs. Course work and a language proficiency exam in the target language (Cantonese, Mandarin, or Spanish) are required. Candidates must declare their intention at the time of application.

CTC: Commission on Teacher Credentialing. A state agency that establishes, reviews, and maintains standards for California educators and awards credentials on the recommendation of a university.

Clinical or Rehabilitative Services Credential: The California basic credential that allows you to work in the area of orientation and mobility.

Early Field Experience: Required for admission to most teaching credential programs. Usually, consists of a minimum of 45 hours of volunteer or work experience in the type of classroom environment in which you plan to teach. Classrooms should be culturally and linguistically diverse.

Education Specialist Credential: The California basic credential that allows you to teach students with disabilities in specific areas of specialization (e.g., mild/moderate, moderate/severe, visual impairments).

Multiple Subject Credential: The California basic credential that allows you to teach in a self–contained classroom (usually grades K–5).

RICA: Reading Instruction Competence Assessment. A test taken after completion of courses in teaching reading.

School District Leadership: A doctoral–level program offered by SF State.

Single Subject Credential: The California basic teaching credential that allows you to teach a specific subject to different groups of students (usually grades 6–12).

Teaching and Services Credentials

Teaching credential programs offered at SF State comply with the Senate Bill 2042 standards. The following credential programs are available at SF State: